/ Darren Skelton / 28 December 2008 /

The Holiday season continues with more festive meetings at Leopardstown and Limerick. Read Darren Skelton's horse racing tips here...

Leopardstown's card opens up, traditionally, with one of those tricky maidens. If I ever buy a horse I'm going to call it Tricky Maiden.Time Electric was a promising bumper horse last season but it wouldn't be unfair to say that he hasn't yet translated that talent to the hurdles game. It would be dangerous to write him off too season but if he's to break his duck over obstacles he's going to have to overcome some very promising types today. Puyol ran very creditably in his first start over hurdles at Punchestown last time in ground that definitely didn't suit him. Today's conditions will definitely be more favourable and he can be expected to improve quite a bit. He's a winner on the flat in both codes and is on the shortlist today. If the money comes for it though, I'd be interested in former Ulster Derby winner - Kempes. Ruby is back over in Ireland with a nice book of rides and if Mr. Mullins has this won schooled even half way decent, then he could win this and go on to better things.

I'm not going to go into too much detail into Leopardstown's 12:55 as there are far too many runners in the race, most of whom have fairly inexperienced pilots on board. Stakes should be kept to an absolute minimum but if the price is right a small win and place on Diophas may pay because he ran a very good second at Fairyhouse last time and is open to quite a considerable amount of improvement.

The Grade One Novice Chase (1:30) is one of highlightson the card and most people will be banking on Trafford Lad to pay for their already consumed Christmas pints. I'm in no position to put anyone away from this horse because he has done nothing but improve over fences so far this season and his last win at Fairyhouse was superb. A potential fly in the ointment however, is Siegemaster. Nothing went right for this horse at Punchestown last time and he made a couple of blunders and continued to jump markedly out to his left at most of his fence. Davey Russell, his jock that day, reported that his saddle slipped after a particularly nasty jump, so this could be a possible excuse for the horse. Also, he'll be running left handed today so chances are that we won't be seeing any of that awkward jumping that we saw at the right handed Punchestown track. Sure, his jumping needs to improve, but Siegemaster looked the winner all the way around last time and if he was anything over [4.0] tomorrow I'd be inclined to have a nice bet. If however, Trafford Lad beats Siegemaster fair and square....then I'll be having a bet on that one for Cheltenham.

The Christmas Hurdle (2:00) has a pretty poor turn out and should be collected fairly handily by Edward O Grady's Cheltenham hopeful, Catch Me. This horse had to battle to beat Brave Inca last time but over this more favourable distance, he shouldn't have to break a sweat.

The Lexus Chase, or as I like to call it, The Beef or Salmon Chase, is today's main event and once again we have a few challengers from across the water hoping to snatch that top prize of over 91K. Denman won this last year so Paul Nicholls obviously knows what's needed to win a race like this, although that horse was always going to be somewhat of a penalty kick. Neptune Collonges is a horse that I have a lot of time for and in fact, quite a bit of sympathy for. If he was in any other yard he'd be the star attraction but in this one, he's only the third best chaser. In defeat, he's put up Gold Cup runs that have been superior to some winners and the horse can simply be called unlucky to have run in the time of Denman and Kauto Star. Nevertheless, he's still a top class horse and even though he lacks the advantage of a run this season it is unlikely that the champion trainer will leave him wanting for an assignment like this. War of Attrition will be more at home over this trip and on this ground and the Listener probably would have wanted rain rather than frost to enhance his chances. I'm not a fan of Exotic Dancer but he may very well plod along into a place. Slim Pickings may actually be a value bet in the place market but I'm going to confidently select Neptune Collonges for the win bet.

Over at Limerick the Grade Three Novice Hurdle (1:45) takes centre stage and I'm going to confidently select Future All Star to visit the winner's enclosure. He won his maiden hurdle in impressive fashion at Punchestown earlier in the month when beating yesterday's winner, Sanglote. That horse didn't look keen that day it has to be said and he needed blinkers yesterday to keep him mind on the job. However, the horse that Future All Star beat into second, Hampshire Express, ran very well at this track earlier in the week, only going down by a short head. This is well advertised form and I expect Colm Murphy's horse to step up even further and collect this valuable prize.

Good Luck with your bets!

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